Mahabharata — Volume VII (Dutt edition) — Chapter 138
MBh 7 138.1
युधिष्ठिर उवाच सर्वत्र बुद्धिः कथिता श्रेष्ठा ते भरतर्षभ। अनागता तथोत्पन्ना दीर्घसूत्रा विनाशिनी॥
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca sarvatra buddhiḥ kathitā śreṣṭhā te bharatarṣabha| anāgatā tathotpannā dīrghasūtrā vināśinī||
Yudhishthira said You have, O foremost of Bharata's race, said that, that intelligence which provides for the future, as well as that which can meet present difficulties, is always superior, while idleness brings about destruction.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.2
तदिच्छामि परां श्रोतुं बुद्धिं ते भरतर्षभ। यथा राजा न मुह्येत शत्रुभिः परिवारितः॥ धर्मार्थकुशलो राजा धर्मशास्त्रविशारदः। पृच्छामि त्वां कुरुश्रेष्ठ तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि॥
tadicchāmi parāṃ śrotuṃ buddhiṃ te bharatarṣabha| yathā rājā na muhyeta śatrubhiḥ parivāritaḥ|| dharmārthakuśalo rājā dharmaśāstraviśāradaḥ| pṛcchāmi tvāṃ kuruśreṣṭha tanme vyākhyātumarhasi||
I wish, O grandfather, to hear of that superior intelligence by which king, conversant with the scriptures and well-versed in virtue and profit, may not be stupefied even when surrounded by many enemies. I ask you this, O Kuru chief! You should describe it to a me.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.3
शत्रुभिर्बहुभिर्गस्तो यथा वर्तेत पार्थिवः। एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं सर्वमेव यथाविधि।॥
śatrubhirbahubhirgasto yathā varteta pārthivaḥ| etadicchāmyahaṃ śrotuṃ sarvameva yathāvidhi|||
I wish to hear everything in connection with the duties of king when he is attacked by many foes, as has been laid down in the scriptures.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.4
विषमस्थं हि राजानं शत्रवः परिपन्थिनः। बहवोऽप्येकमुद्धर्तुं यतन्ते पूर्वतापिताः॥
viṣamasthaṃ hi rājānaṃ śatravaḥ paripanthinaḥ| bahavo'pyekamuddhartuṃ yatante pūrvatāpitāḥ||
When a king meets with distress, a large number of enemies, provoked by his past deeds, rise against him and try to defeat him.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.5
सर्वत्र प्रार्थ्यमानेन दुर्बलेन महाबलैः। एकेनैवासहायेन शक्यं स्थातुं भवेत् कथम्॥
sarvatra prārthyamānena durbalena mahābalaiḥ| ekenaivāsahāyena śakyaṃ sthātuṃ bhavet katham||
How can king, weak and alone, hold his own, when attacked on all sides by many powerful kings joined in a body?
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.6
कथं मित्रमरिं चापि विन्दते भरतर्षभ। चेष्टितव्यं कथं चात्र शत्रोमित्रस्य चान्तरे॥
kathaṃ mitramariṃ cāpi vindate bharatarṣabha| ceṣṭitavyaṃ kathaṃ cātra śatromitrasya cāntare||
How does a king at such times make friends and enemies? How should he, O foremost of Bharata's race, treat at such a time, both his friends and enemies?
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.7
प्रज्ञातलक्षणे मित्रे तथैवामित्रतां गते। कथं तु पुरुषः कुर्यात् कृत्वा किं वा सुखी भवेत्॥
prajñātalakṣaṇe mitre tathaivāmitratāṃ gate| kathaṃ tu puruṣaḥ kuryāt kṛtvā kiṃ vā sukhī bhavet||
When those, who are friends really become his enemies, what should the king then do if he is to secure happiness?
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.8
विग्रहं केन वा कुर्यात् संधिं वा केन योजयेत्। कथं वा शत्रुमध्यस्थो वर्तेत बलवानपि॥
vigrahaṃ kena vā kuryāt saṃdhiṃ vā kena yojayet| kathaṃ vā śatrumadhyastho varteta balavānapi||
With whom should he make war and with whom should he make peace? Even if he be strong, how should he act by his foes?
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.9
एतद् वै सर्वकृत्यानां परं कृत्यं परंतप। नैतस्य कश्चिद् वक्तास्ति श्रोता वापि सुदुर्लभः॥ ऋते शान्तनवाद् भीष्मात् सत्यसंधाज्जितेन्द्रियात्। तदन्विष्य महाभाग सर्वमेतद् वदस्व मे।" ।।
etad vai sarvakṛtyānāṃ paraṃ kṛtyaṃ paraṃtapa| naitasya kaścid vaktāsti śrotā vāpi sudurlabhaḥ|| ṛte śāntanavād bhīṣmāt satyasaṃdhājjitendriyāt| tadanviṣya mahābhāga sarvametad vadasva me|" ||
O scorcher of foes, this I consider to be the most momentous of all questions regarding the satisfaction of royal duties. There are few men, who wish to listen to the answer of this question, and none answer it except Shantanu's truthful son Bhishma, who has ail his senses under control. O you, who are highly blessed, think on it and describe it to me. to
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.10
भीष्म उवाच त्वयुक्तोऽयमनुप्रश्नो युधिष्ठिर सुखोदयः। शृणु मे पुत्र कात्स्र्थेन गुह्यमापत्सु भारत॥
bhīṣma uvāca tvayukto'yamanupraśno yudhiṣṭhira sukhodayaḥ| śṛṇu me putra kātsrthena guhyamāpatsu bhārata||
'O Yudhishthira, this question certainly becomes you. Its answer yields great happiness. Listen to me, O son, as I describe to you, O Bharata, all the duties which are not generaliy known, but which should be practised in times of distress.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.11
अमित्रो मित्रतां याति मित्रं चापि प्रदुष्यति। सामर्थ्ययोगात् कार्याणामनित्या वै सदा गतिः॥
amitro mitratāṃ yāti mitraṃ cāpi praduṣyati| sāmarthyayogāt kāryāṇāmanityā vai sadā gatiḥ||
An enemy becomes a friend, and a friend also becomes an enemy. Through combination of circumstances, human actions become uncertain.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.12
तस्माद् विश्वसितव्यं च विग्रहं च समाचरेत्। देशं कालं च विज्ञाय कार्याकार्यविनिश्चये॥
tasmād viśvasitavyaṃ ca vigrahaṃ ca samācaret| deśaṃ kālaṃ ca vijñāya kāryākāryaviniścaye||
Regarding what should be done and what should not, it is necessary that in view of the requirements of time and place, one should either trust one's enemies or make war.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.13
संधातव्यं बुधैर्नित्यं व्यवस्य च हितार्थिभिः। अमित्रैरपि संधेयं प्राणा रक्ष्या हि भारत॥
saṃdhātavyaṃ budhairnityaṃ vyavasya ca hitārthibhiḥ| amitrairapi saṃdheyaṃ prāṇā rakṣyā hi bhārata||
Trying his very best, one should make friends with intelligent and wise men who desire his welfare. one should make peace with even his enemy, when, O Bharata his life cannot be saved by any other means.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.14
यो ह्यमित्रैर्नरो नित्यं न संदध्यादपण्डितः। न सोऽर्थं प्राप्नुयात् किंचित् फलान्यपि च भारत॥
yo hyamitrairnaro nityaṃ na saṃdadhyādapaṇḍitaḥ| na so'rthaṃ prāpnuyāt kiṃcit phalānyapi ca bhārata||
That foolish wight, who never makes peace with enemies, cannot acquire any profit or any of those fruits for which others try.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.15
यस्त्वमित्रेण संदध्यान्मित्रेण च विरुद्ध्यते। अर्थयुक्तिं समालोक्य सुमहद् विन्दते फलम्॥
yastvamitreṇa saṃdadhyānmitreṇa ca viruddhyate| arthayuktiṃ samālokya sumahad vindate phalam||
He, again, who makes peace with enemies and falls out with even friends after carefully considering all circumstances, acquires great fruits.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.16
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। मार्जारस्य च संवादं न्यग्रोधे मूषिकस्य च॥
atrāpyudāharantīmamitihāsaṃ purātanam| mārjārasya ca saṃvādaṃ nyagrodhe mūṣikasya ca||
Regarding it is cited the old story of the conversation between a cat and mouse at the foot of a banian tree.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.17
वनो महति कस्मिंश्चिन्यग्रोधः सुमहानभूत्। लताजालपरिच्छिन्नो नानाद्विजगणान्वितः॥
vano mahati kasmiṃścinyagrodhaḥ sumahānabhūt| latājālaparicchinno nānādvijagaṇānvitaḥ||
Bhishma said There was a huge banian tree in the midst of a vast forest. Covered with many sorts of creepers, and various sorts of birds used to live on it.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.18
स्कन्धवान् मेघसङ्काशः शीतच्छायो मनोरमः। अरण्यमभितो जातः स तु व्यालमृगाकुलः॥
skandhavān meghasaṅkāśaḥ śītacchāyo manoramaḥ| araṇyamabhito jātaḥ sa tu vyālamṛgākulaḥ||
It had a large trunk from which numerous branches spread on all sides. Delightful to look at, its shade was very refreshing. It stood in the midst of the forest, and various animals lived on it.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.19
तस्य मूलं समाश्रित्य कृत्वा शतमुखं बिलम्। वसति स्म महाप्राज्ञः पलितो नाम मूषिकः॥
tasya mūlaṃ samāśritya kṛtvā śatamukhaṃ bilam| vasati sma mahāprājñaḥ palito nāma mūṣikaḥ||
A highly wise mouse, named Palita, lived at the foot of that tree, having made a hole there with a hundred outlets.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.20
शाखां तस्य समाश्रित्य वसति स्म सुखं पुरा। लोमशो नाम मार्जारः पक्षिसंघातखादकः॥
śākhāṃ tasya samāśritya vasati sma sukhaṃ purā| lomaśo nāma mārjāraḥ pakṣisaṃghātakhādakaḥ||
On the branches of the tree there lived happily a cat, by name Lomasha, daily devouring large number of birds.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.21
तत्र चागत्य चाण्डालो शरण्ये कृतकेतनः प्रयोजयति चोन्माथं नित्यमस्तंगते रवौ॥
tatra cāgatya cāṇḍālo śaraṇye kṛtaketanaḥ prayojayati conmāthaṃ nityamastaṃgate ravau||
Sometime after, a Chandala came to that forest and built a hut for himself. Every evening after sunset he spread his traps.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.22
तत्र स्नायुमयान् पाशान् यथावत् संविधाय सः। गृहं गत्वा सुखं शेते प्रभातामेति शर्वरीम्॥
tatra snāyumayān pāśān yathāvat saṃvidhāya saḥ| gṛhaṃ gatvā sukhaṃ śete prabhātāmeti śarvarīm||
Spreading his nets made a leathern strings, he returned to his hut, and, passing the night happily in sleep, returned thert at the dawn of day.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.23
तत्र स्म नित्यं बध्यन्ते नक्तं बहुविधा मृगाः। कदाचिदत्र मार्जारस्त्वप्रमत्तो व्यबध्यत॥
tatra sma nityaṃ badhyante naktaṃ bahuvidhā mṛgāḥ| kadācidatra mārjārastvapramatto vyabadhyata||
Various sorts of animals fell into his traps nightly. And it so took place that one day the cat in a moment of carelessness was caught in the trap.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.24
तस्मिन् बधे महाप्राणे शत्रौ नित्याततायिनि। तं कालं पलितो ज्ञात्वा प्रचचार सुनिर्भयः॥
tasmin badhe mahāprāṇe śatrau nityātatāyini| taṃ kālaṃ palito jñātvā pracacāra sunirbhayaḥ||
O you of great wisdom, when his enemy the cat, who is always an enemy of the mice, was thus caught in the trap, the mouse Palita came out of his hole and began to move about fearlessly.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.25
तेनानुचरता तस्मिन् वने विश्वस्तचारिणा। भक्ष्यं मृगयमाणेन चिराद् दृष्टं तदामिषम्॥
tenānucaratā tasmin vane viśvastacāriṇā| bhakṣyaṃ mṛgayamāṇena cirād dṛṣṭaṃ tadāmiṣam||
While confidently passing through the forest in search of food, the mouse after a little while saw the meat.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.26
स तमुन्माथमारुह्य तदामिषमभक्षयत्॥ तस्योपरि सपत्नस्य बद्धस्य मनसा हसन्।
sa tamunmāthamāruhya tadāmiṣamabhakṣayat|| tasyopari sapatnasya baddhasya manasā hasan|
Getting upon the trap, the little animal began to eat the flesh. Laughing in his mind, he even got upon his enemy caught in the net.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.27
आमिषे तु प्रसक्तः स कदाचिदवलोकयन्॥ अपश्यदपरं घोरमात्मनः शत्रुमागतम्।
āmiṣe tu prasaktaḥ sa kadācidavalokayan|| apaśyadaparaṃ ghoramātmanaḥ śatrumāgatam|
Busy with eating the flesh, did not see his own danger, and as he suddenly cast his eyes, he saw there a dreadful enemy of his.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.28
शरप्रसूनसङ्काशं महीविवरशायिनम्॥ नकुलं हरिणं नाम चपलं ताम्रलोचनम्।
śaraprasūnasaṅkāśaṃ mahīvivaraśāyinam|| nakulaṃ hariṇaṃ nāma capalaṃ tāmralocanam|
It was a restless mongoose of coppery eyes, of the name of Harita. Living in holes underneath, its body resembled the flower of a reed.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.29
तेन मूषिकगन्धेन त्वरमाणमुपागतम्॥ भक्ष्यार्थं संलिहानं तं भूमावूर्ध्वमुखं स्थितम्। शाखागतमरिं चान्यमपश्यत् कोटरालयम्॥ उलूकं चन्द्रकं नाम तीक्ष्णतुण्डं क्षपाचरम्। गतस्य विषयं तत्र नकुलोलूकयोस्तथा॥ अथास्यासीदियं चिन्ता तत् प्राप्य सुमहद्भयम्।
tena mūṣikagandhena tvaramāṇamupāgatam|| bhakṣyārthaṃ saṃlihānaṃ taṃ bhūmāvūrdhvamukhaṃ sthitam| śākhāgatamariṃ cānyamapaśyat koṭarālayam|| ulūkaṃ candrakaṃ nāma tīkṣṇatuṇḍaṃ kṣapācaram| gatasya viṣayaṃ tatra nakulolūkayostathā|| athāsyāsīdiyaṃ cintā tat prāpya sumahadbhayam|
Tempted to come there by the scent of the mouse, the animal came quickly for devouring his pray. He stood on his haunches, with head raised up and licking the corners of his mouth with his tongue. The mouse saw at the same time another enemy living in the holes of trees, then sitting on the branch of the banian. It was night-ranging owl, by name Chandraka having sharp beaks. Being seen both by the mongoose and the owl, the mouse, in great fear, began to think thus.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.30
आपद्यस्यां सुकशयां मरणे प्रत्युपस्थिते॥ समन्ताद् भय उत्पन्ने कथं कार्यं हितैषिणा।
āpadyasyāṃ sukaśayāṃ maraṇe pratyupasthite|| samantād bhaya utpanne kathaṃ kāryaṃ hitaiṣiṇā|
In such a great danger, when death itself is staring me in the face, when fear prevails on every side, how should one act who seeks his own well being?
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.31
स तथा सर्वतो रुद्धः सर्वत्र भयदर्शनः॥ अभवद् भयसंतप्तश्चक्रे च परमां मतिम्।
sa tathā sarvato ruddhaḥ sarvatra bhayadarśanaḥ|| abhavad bhayasaṃtaptaścakre ca paramāṃ matim|
Beset with danger, and seeing fear on all sides, the mouse, stricken with fear for his safety, made a high resolution.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.32
आपद्विनाशभूयिष्ठं गतैः कार्यं हि जीवितम्॥ समन्तात् संशयात् सैषा तस्मादापदुपस्थिता।
āpadvināśabhūyiṣṭhaṃ gataiḥ kāryaṃ hi jīvitam|| samantāt saṃśayāt saiṣā tasmādāpadupasthitā|
Preventing numberless dangers by hundreds of means, one should always save his life. Danger, now, besets me on every side.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.33
गतं मा सहसा भूमिं नकुलो भक्षयिष्यति॥ उलूकश्छेह तिष्ठन्तं मार्जार: पाशसंक्षयात्।
gataṃ mā sahasā bhūmiṃ nakulo bhakṣayiṣyati|| ulūkaścheha tiṣṭhantaṃ mārjāra: pāśasaṃkṣayāt|
If I were to descend from this trap on the ground, without sufficient precautions, the mongoose will surely catch and devour me. If I remain on this trap, the owl will surely catch me. If, again, the cat can free himself for the net, he, also, is certain to devour me.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.34
न त्वेवास्मद्विधः प्राज्ञः सम्मोहं गन्तुमर्हति॥ करिष्ये जीविते यत्नं यावद् युक्त्या प्रतिग्रहात्।
na tvevāsmadvidhaḥ prājñaḥ sammohaṃ gantumarhati|| kariṣye jīvite yatnaṃ yāvad yuktyā pratigrahāt|
It is not proper, therefore, that a person intelligent like myself should lose his wits. I shall, therefore, try me best to save my life, by having recourse to proper means and intelligence.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.35
न हि बुद्ध्यान्वितः प्राज्ञो नीतिशास्त्रविशारदः॥ निमज्जत्यापदं प्राप्य महतीं दारुणामपि॥
na hi buddhyānvitaḥ prājño nītiśāstraviśāradaḥ|| nimajjatyāpadaṃ prāpya mahatīṃ dāruṇāmapi||
An intelligent and wise person and conversant with the science of policy never sinks, however great and terrible may be the danger which threatens him.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.36
न त्वन्यामिह मार्जाराद् गतिं पश्यामि साम्प्रतम्। विषमस्थो ह्ययं शत्रुः कृत्यं चास्य महन्मया॥
na tvanyāmiha mārjārād gatiṃ paśyāmi sāmpratam| viṣamastho hyayaṃ śatruḥ kṛtyaṃ cāsya mahanmayā||
At present, however, I do not see any other refuge than this cat. He is an enemy. But he is in difficulty. The service that I can do him is verygreat.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.37
जीवितार्थी कथं त्वद्य शत्रुभिः प्रार्थितस्त्रिभिः। तस्मादेनमहं शत्रु मार्जारं संश्रयामि वै॥
jīvitārthī kathaṃ tvadya śatrubhiḥ prārthitastribhiḥ| tasmādenamahaṃ śatru mārjāraṃ saṃśrayāmi vai||
Three enemies are trying to devour me, and how should I now act for saving my life? I should now seek refuge with one of those enemies, viz., the cat.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.38
नीतिशास्त्रं समाश्रित्य हितमस्योपवर्णये। येनेमं शत्रुसंघातं मतिपूर्वेण वञ्चये॥
nītiśāstraṃ samāśritya hitamasyopavarṇaye| yenemaṃ śatrusaṃghātaṃ matipūrveṇa vañcaye||
Following policy, let me advice the cat for his behoof, so that I may, with my intelligence, escape from all three.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.39
अयमत्यन्तशत्रुर्मे वैषम्यं परमं गतः। मूढो ग्राहयितुं स्वार्थं सङ्गत्या यदि शक्यते॥ कदाचिद् व्यसनं प्राप्य संधि कुर्यान्मया सह!
ayamatyantaśatrurme vaiṣamyaṃ paramaṃ gataḥ| mūḍho grāhayituṃ svārthaṃ saṅgatyā yadi śakyate|| kadācid vyasanaṃ prāpya saṃdhi kuryānmayā saha!
The cat is my great enemy, but the danger into which he has fallen is very great. Let me see if I can make this foolish creature understand his own interests. Having fallen into such difficulty he may make peace with me.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.40
बलिना संनिकृष्टस्य शत्रोरपि परिग्रहः॥ कार्य इत्याहुराचार्या विषमे जीवितार्थिना।
balinā saṃnikṛṣṭasya śatrorapi parigrahaḥ|| kārya ityāhurācāryā viṣame jīvitārthinā|
A person, when attacked by a stronger one, should make peace with even an enemy. People conversant with policy say that such should be the conduct of one, who being beset with danger seeks to save his life.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.41
श्रेष्ठो हि पण्डितः शत्रुर्न च मित्रमपण्डितः॥ मम त्वमित्रे माजरि जीवितं सम्प्रतिष्ठितम्।
śreṣṭho hi paṇḍitaḥ śatrurna ca mitramapaṇḍitaḥ|| mama tvamitre mājari jīvitaṃ sampratiṣṭhitam|
It is better to have a learned person for an enemy than a fool for a friend. As for myself, my life now depends entirely on the hands of my enemy the cat.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.42
हन्तास्मै सम्प्रवक्ष्यामि हेतुमात्माभिरक्षणे॥ अपीदानीमयं शत्रुः सङ्गत्या पण्डितो भवेत्।
hantāsmai sampravakṣyāmi hetumātmābhirakṣaṇe|| apīdānīmayaṃ śatruḥ saṅgatyā paṇḍito bhavet|
I shall now speak to the cat about his own liberation. Perhaps, now it would not be wrong to consider the cat an intelligent and learned enemy. Thus did that mouse, surrounded by foes, think.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.43
एवं विचिन्तयामास मूषिकः शत्रुचेष्टितम्॥ ततोऽर्थगतितत्त्वज्ञः संधिविग्रहकालवित्। सान्त्वपूर्वमिदं वाक्यं मार्जारं मूषिकोऽब्रवीत्॥
evaṃ vicintayāmāsa mūṣikaḥ śatruceṣṭitam|| tato'rthagatitattvajñaḥ saṃdhivigrahakālavit| sāntvapūrvamidaṃ vākyaṃ mārjāraṃ mūṣiko'bravīt||
Having thought thus, the mouse, well-read in the science of Profit and well-acquainted with times when war should be declared and peace made, gently spoke to the cat, saying,
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.44
सौहृदेनाभिभाषे त्वां कच्चिन्मार्जार जीवसि। जीवितं हि तवेच्छामि श्रेयः साधारणं हि नौ॥
sauhṛdenābhibhāṣe tvāṃ kaccinmārjāra jīvasi| jīvitaṃ hi tavecchāmi śreyaḥ sādhāraṇaṃ hi nau||
I speak to you as a friend. O cat! Are you alive? I wish you to live! I seek the good of us both.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.45
न ते सौम्य भयं कार्यं जीविष्यसि यथासुखम्। अहं त्वामुद्धरिष्यामि यदि मां न जिघांससि॥
na te saumya bhayaṃ kāryaṃ jīviṣyasi yathāsukham| ahaṃ tvāmuddhariṣyāmi yadi māṃ na jighāṃsasi||
O amiable one, you have no cause for fear. You will live in happiness! I shall save you, If, indeed, you do not kill me.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.46
अस्मि कश्चिदुपायोऽत्र दुष्करः प्रतिभाति मे। येन शक्यस्त्वया मोक्षः प्राप्तुं श्रेयस्तथा मया॥
asmi kaścidupāyo'tra duṣkaraḥ pratibhāti me| yena śakyastvayā mokṣaḥ prāptuṃ śreyastathā mayā||
There is a very good means I see by which you may obtain escape and I may acquire great benefit.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.47
मयाप्युपायो दृष्टोऽयं विचार्य मतिमात्मनः। आत्मार्थं च त्वदर्थं च श्रेय: साधारणं हि नौ॥
mayāpyupāyo dṛṣṭo'yaṃ vicārya matimātmanaḥ| ātmārthaṃ ca tvadarthaṃ ca śreya: sādhāraṇaṃ hi nau||
By thinking I have found out this expedient for your sake and for my sake, for it will do us both good.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.48
इदं हि नकुलोलूकं पापबुद्ध्याभिसंस्थितम्। न धर्षयति मार्जार तेन मे स्वस्ति साम्प्रतम्॥
idaṃ hi nakulolūkaṃ pāpabuddhyābhisaṃsthitam| na dharṣayati mārjāra tena me svasti sāmpratam||
There are the mongoose and the owl, both waiting with evil desire. O cat, so long as they do not attack me, my life is safe.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.49
कूजंश्चपलनेत्रोऽयं कौशिको मां निरीक्षते। नगशाखाग्रगः पापस्तस्याहं भृशमुद्विजे॥
kūjaṃścapalanetro'yaṃ kauśiko māṃ nirīkṣate| nagaśākhāgragaḥ pāpastasyāhaṃ bhṛśamudvije||
There that wretched owl with restless looks and dreadful cries is seeing me from the branch of that tree! I am stricken with great fear.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.50
सतां साप्तपदं मैत्रं स सखा मेऽसि पण्डितः। सांवास्यकं करिष्यामि नास्ति ते भयमद्य वै॥
satāṃ sāptapadaṃ maitraṃ sa sakhā me'si paṇḍitaḥ| sāṃvāsyakaṃ kariṣyāmi nāsti te bhayamadya vai||
Good men become friends by walking together only seven steps. Highly wise as you are, you are my friend. I shall treat you as a friend. You need have no fear now.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.51
न हि शक्तोऽसि मार्जार पाशं छेत्तुं मया विना। अहं छेत्स्यामि पाशांस्ते यदि मां त्वं न हिंससि॥
na hi śakto'si mārjāra pāśaṃ chettuṃ mayā vinā| ahaṃ chetsyāmi pāśāṃste yadi māṃ tvaṃ na hiṃsasi||
Without my help, O cat, you will not be able to tear the net. I, however, shall cut the net for serving you, if you do not kill me.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.52
त्वमाश्रितो दुमस्याग्रं मूलं त्वहमुपाश्रितः। चिरोषितावुभावावां वृक्षेऽस्मिन् विदितं च ते॥
tvamāśrito dumasyāgraṃ mūlaṃ tvahamupāśritaḥ| ciroṣitāvubhāvāvāṃ vṛkṣe'smin viditaṃ ca te||
You have lived on this tree and I have lived at its foot. Both of us have lived here for many long years, All this is known to you.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.53
यस्मिन्नाश्वासते कश्चिद् यश्च नाश्वसिति क्वचित्। न तो धीराः प्रशंसन्ति नित्यमुद्विग्नमानसौ॥
yasminnāśvāsate kaścid yaśca nāśvasiti kvacit| na to dhīrāḥ praśaṃsanti nityamudvignamānasau||
The wise never laud him whom nobody trusts, nor him who never trusts another. Both of them are unhappy.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.54
तस्माद् विवर्धतां प्रीतिर्नित्यं संगतमस्तु कालातीतमिहार्थं तु न प्रशंसन्ति पण्डिताः॥
tasmād vivardhatāṃ prītirnityaṃ saṃgatamastu kālātītamihārthaṃ tu na praśaṃsanti paṇḍitāḥ||
Therefore, let our love for each other increase, and let us be united. The wise never speak highly of the attempt of doing an act when its opportunity is gone.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.55
अर्थयुक्तिमिमां तत्र यथाभूतां निशामय। तव जीवितमिच्छामि त्वं ममेच्छसि जीवितम्॥ नौ।
arthayuktimimāṃ tatra yathābhūtāṃ niśāmaya| tava jīvitamicchāmi tvaṃ mamecchasi jīvitam|| nau|
Know this to be the proper time for such a compact between us. I wish that you should live, and you also wish that I should live.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.56
कश्चित् तरति काष्ठेन सुगम्भीरां महानदीम्। स तारयति तत् काष्ठं स च काष्ठेन तार्यते॥
kaścit tarati kāṣṭhena sugambhīrāṃ mahānadīm| sa tārayati tat kāṣṭhaṃ sa ca kāṣṭhena tāryate||
A men crosses a deep and large river by a piece of wood. It is seen there that the man takes the piece of wood to the other side, and the piece of wood also takes the man to the other side.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.57
ईदृशो नौ समायोगो भविष्यति सुविस्तरः। अहं त्वां तारयिष्यामि मां च त्वं तारयिष्यसि॥
īdṛśo nau samāyogo bhaviṣyati suvistaraḥ| ahaṃ tvāṃ tārayiṣyāmi māṃ ca tvaṃ tārayiṣyasi||
Like this, our agreement will lead to our happiness. I will save you, also, and you also will save me.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.58
एवमुक्त्वा तु पलितस्तमर्थमुभयोर्हितम्। हेतुमद् ग्रहणीयं च कालापेक्षी न्यवेक्ष्य च॥
evamuktvā tu palitastamarthamubhayorhitam| hetumad grahaṇīyaṃ ca kālāpekṣī nyavekṣya ca||
Having said so, which was beneficial to both of them, highly reasonable and acceptable, the mouse Palita waited for an answer.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.59
अथ सुव्याहृतं श्रुत्वा तस्य शत्रोविचक्षणः। हेतुमद् ग्रहणीयार्थं मार्जारो वाक्यमब्रवीत्॥
atha suvyāhṛtaṃ śrutvā tasya śatrovicakṣaṇaḥ| hetumad grahaṇīyārthaṃ mārjāro vākyamabravīt||
Hearing these well-selected, reasonable and good words of the mouse, the mouse's enemy, endued with judgement and forethought, the cat said these words in reply.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.60
बुद्धिमान् वाक्यसम्पन्नस्तद्वाक्यमनुवर्णयन्। स्वामवस्थां समीक्ष्याथ साम्नैव प्रत्यपूजयत्॥
buddhimān vākyasampannastadvākyamanuvarṇayan| svāmavasthāṃ samīkṣyātha sāmnaiva pratyapūjayat||
Reflecting upon his own condition, the highly intelligent and eloquent cat praised the words of the speaker and honoured him by gentle words.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.61
ततस्तीक्ष्णाग्रदशनो मणिवैदूर्यलोचनः। मूषिकं मन्दमुवीक्ष्य मार्जारो लोमशोऽब्रवीत्॥
tatastīkṣṇāgradaśano maṇivaidūryalocanaḥ| mūṣikaṃ mandamuvīkṣya mārjāro lomaśo'bravīt||
Quietly looking at the mouse, the cat, called Lomasha, having sharp foreteeth and having eyes that resemble the stones called lapis lazuli answered as followsनन्दामि सौम्य भद्रं ते यो मां जीवितुमिच्छसि।
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.62
श्रेयश्च यदि जानीषे क्रियतां मा विचारय॥
śreyaśca yadi jānīṣe kriyatāṃ mā vicāraya||
I am pleased with you, O amiable one! Blessed be you who wish me to live! Do that, without hesitation, which you think would do us good.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.63
अहं हि भृशमापन्नस्त्वमापनतरो मम। द्वयोरापन्नयोः संधिः क्रियतां मा चिराय च॥
ahaṃ hi bhṛśamāpannastvamāpanataro mama| dvayorāpannayoḥ saṃdhiḥ kriyatāṃ mā cirāya ca||
I am surely in great distress. You are, if possible, in greater distress still! Let there be an agreement made between us forthwith.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.64
विधास्ये प्राप्तकालं यत् कार्य सिद्धिकरं विभो। मयि कृच्छ्राद् विनिर्मुक्ते न विनक्ष्यति ते कृतम्।।७०।
vidhāsye prāptakālaṃ yat kārya siddhikaraṃ vibho| mayi kṛcchrād vinirmukte na vinakṣyati te kṛtam||70|
I will do that which is opportune and necessary for the success of our business, O powerful one! If you save me, your service will not go for nothing.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.65
न्यस्तमानोऽस्मि भक्तोऽस्मि शिष्यस्त्वद्धितकृत्तथा। निदेशवशवर्ती च भवन्तं शरणं गतः॥
nyastamāno'smi bhakto'smi śiṣyastvaddhitakṛttathā| nideśavaśavartī ca bhavantaṃ śaraṇaṃ gataḥ||
I leave myself in your hands I am devoted to you. I shall attend and serve you like a disciple. I seek refuge with you and shall always obey you.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.66
इत्येवमुक्तः पलितो मार्जारं वशमागतम्। वाक्यं हितमुवाचेदमभिनीतार्थमर्थवित्॥
ityevamuktaḥ palito mārjāraṃ vaśamāgatam| vākyaṃ hitamuvācedamabhinītārthamarthavit||
Thus accosted, the mouse Palita, speaking again to the cat, who was entirely under his control, said these highly significant and wise words-
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.67
उदारं यद् भवानाह नैतच्चित्रं भवद्विधे। विहितो यस्तु मार्गो मे हितार्थं शृणु तं मम॥
udāraṃ yad bhavānāha naitaccitraṃ bhavadvidhe| vihito yastu mārgo me hitārthaṃ śṛṇu taṃ mama||
You have spoken most magnanimously. It could be expected from one like you. Hear I shall describe the expedient I have thought of for benefiting both of us.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.68
अहं त्वानुप्रवेक्ष्यामि नकुलान्मे महद् भयम्। त्रायस्व भो मा वधीस्त्वं शक्तोऽस्मि तव रक्षणे॥
ahaṃ tvānupravekṣyāmi nakulānme mahad bhayam| trāyasva bho mā vadhīstvaṃ śakto'smi tava rakṣaṇe||
I will crouch myself beneath your body. I am in great fear of the mongoose. Do you save me. Kill me not. I am capable to save you.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.69
उलूकाच्चैव मां रक्ष क्षुद्रः अहं छेत्स्यामि ते पाशान् सखे सत्येन ते शपे॥ प्रार्थयते हि माम्।
ulūkāccaiva māṃ rakṣa kṣudraḥ ahaṃ chetsyāmi te pāśān sakhe satyena te śape|| prārthayate hi mām|
O friend, this owl is also wishing for my life, so you may protect me. I shall cut the strings at that it is true.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.70
तद्वचः संगतं श्रुत्वा लोमशो युक्तमर्थवत्। हर्षादुद्वीक्ष्य पलितं स्वागतेनाभ्यपूजयत्॥
tadvacaḥ saṃgataṃ śrutvā lomaśo yuktamarthavat| harṣādudvīkṣya palitaṃ svāgatenābhyapūjayat||
Hearing the words of the mouse at that proper time, knowing very useful Lomasha praised him looking with a smile.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.71
तं सम्पूज्याथ पलितं मार्जारः सौहृदे स्थितः। स विचिन्त्याब्रवीद् धीरः प्रीतस्त्वरित एव च॥
taṃ sampūjyātha palitaṃ mārjāraḥ sauhṛde sthitaḥ| sa vicintyābravīd dhīraḥ prītastvarita eva ca||
Having praised Palita, the cat which was friendly disposed, thought for a moment, and gladly said without losing any time,-
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.72
शीघ्रमागच्छ भद्रं ते त्वं मे प्राणसमः सखा। तव प्राज्ञ प्रसादाद्धि प्रायः प्राप्स्यामि जीवितम्॥
śīghramāgaccha bhadraṃ te tvaṃ me prāṇasamaḥ sakhā| tava prājña prasādāddhi prāyaḥ prāpsyāmi jīvitam||
Come quickly to me. Blessed be you, who are, indeed, a friend dear to me as life.o you of great wisdom, through your grace I have almost regained my life.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.73
यद् यदेवंगतेनाद्य शक्यं कर्तुं मया तव। तदाज्ञापय कर्तास्मि संधिरेवास्तु नौ सखे।॥
yad yadevaṃgatenādya śakyaṃ kartuṃ mayā tava| tadājñāpaya kartāsmi saṃdhirevāstu nau sakhe|||
Whatever I can do, tell me and I shall do it for your. Let there be peace between us, O friend.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.74
अस्मात् तु संकटान्मुक्तः समित्रगणबान्धवः। सर्वकार्याणि कर्ताऽहं प्रियाणि च हितानि च॥
asmāt tu saṃkaṭānmuktaḥ samitragaṇabāndhavaḥ| sarvakāryāṇi kartā'haṃ priyāṇi ca hitāni ca||
Freed from this danger, I shall with all iny friends and relatives, do what is agreeable and good to you.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.75
मुक्तश्च व्यसनादस्मात् सौम्याहमपि नाम ते। प्रीतिमुत्पादयेयं च प्रीतिकर्तुश्च सक्रियाम्॥
muktaśca vyasanādasmāt saumyāhamapi nāma te| prītimutpādayeyaṃ ca prītikartuśca sakriyām||
O amiable one, freed from this danger, I shall surely try to please you, and adore and honour you on every occasion in return for your good offices.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.76
प्रत्युपकुर्वन् बह्वपि न भाति पूर्वोपकारिणा तुल्यः। एकः करोति हि कृते निष्कारणमेव कुरुतेऽन्यः॥
pratyupakurvan bahvapi na bhāti pūrvopakāriṇā tulyaḥ| ekaḥ karoti hi kṛte niṣkāraṇameva kurute'nyaḥ||
By returning even sufficient services a man cannot equal the person who did him good in the first instance. The former does them for the sake of services rendered. The latter, however, acted without any such motive.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.77
भीष्म उवाच ग्राहयित्वा तु तं स्वार्थं मार्जारं मूषिकस्तथा। प्रविवेश तु विश्रभ्य क्रोडमस्य कृतागसः॥
bhīṣma uvāca grāhayitvā tu taṃ svārthaṃ mārjāraṃ mūṣikastathā| praviveśa tu viśrabhya kroḍamasya kṛtāgasaḥ||
Bhishma said Having thus made the cat understand his own interests, the mouse truthfully crouched beneath his enemy's body.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.78
एवमाश्वासितो विद्वान् मारिण स मूषिकः। मार्जारोरसि विस्त्रब्धः सुष्वाप पितृमातृवत्॥
evamāśvāsito vidvān māriṇa sa mūṣikaḥ| mārjārorasi vistrabdhaḥ suṣvāpa pitṛmātṛvat||
Learned, and thus assured by the cat, the mouse confidently laid himself thus under the breast of the cat as if it were the lap of his father or of his mother.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.79
लीनं तु तस्य गात्रेषु मार्जारस्य च मूषिकम्। दृष्ट्वा तौ नकुलोलूको निराशौ प्रत्यपद्यताम्॥
līnaṃ tu tasya gātreṣu mārjārasya ca mūṣikam| dṛṣṭvā tau nakulolūko nirāśau pratyapadyatām||
Seeing him thus enclosed within the body of the cat, the mongoose and the owl both gave up hopes of catching their prey.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.80
तथैव तौ सुसंत्रस्तौ दृढमागततन्द्रितौ। दृष्ट्वा तयोः परां प्रीति विस्मयं परमं गतौ॥
tathaiva tau susaṃtrastau dṛḍhamāgatatandritau| dṛṣṭvā tayoḥ parāṃ prīti vismayaṃ paramaṃ gatau||
Marking that close intimacy between the mouse and the cat, both Harita and Chandraka became stricken with fear and wonder.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.81
बलिनौ मतिमन्तौ च सुवृत्तौ चाप्युपासितौ। अशक्तौ तु नयात् तस्मात् सम्प्रधर्षयितुं बलात्॥
balinau matimantau ca suvṛttau cāpyupāsitau| aśaktau tu nayāt tasmāt sampradharṣayituṃ balāt||
Both of them were endued with strength and intelligence. Clever in catching their prey, though near, the mongoose and the owl could not make the mouse and the cat break that agreement.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.82
कार्यार्थं कृतसंधी तौ दृष्ट्वा मार्जारमूषिको। उलूकनकुलौ तूर्णं जग्मतुस्तौ स्वमालयम्॥
kāryārthaṃ kṛtasaṃdhī tau dṛṣṭvā mārjāramūṣiko| ulūkanakulau tūrṇaṃ jagmatustau svamālayam||
Indeed, seeing the cat and the mouse make that agreement for fulfilling their mutual object, the mongoose and the owl both left that spot and repaired to their respective quarters.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.83
लीनः स तस्य गात्रेषु पलितो देशकालवित्। चिच्छेद पाशान् नृपते कालापेक्षी शनैः शनैः॥
līnaḥ sa tasya gātreṣu palito deśakālavit| ciccheda pāśān nṛpate kālāpekṣī śanaiḥ śanaiḥ||
Thereafter, the mouse Palita, who knew well the requirements of time and place, began, as he lay under the body of the cat, to cut the strings of the noose slowly, waiting for the proper time to finish his work.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.84
अथ बन्धपरिक्लिष्टो मार्जारो वीक्ष्य मूषिकम्। छिन्दन्तं वै तदा पाशानत्वरन्तं त्वरान्वितः॥
atha bandhaparikliṣṭo mārjāro vīkṣya mūṣikam| chindantaṃ vai tadā pāśānatvarantaṃ tvarānvitaḥ||
Pained by the strings that fettered him, the cat became impatient upon seeing the mouse slowly cutting away the noose.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.85
तमत्वरन्तं पलितं पाशानां छेदने तथा। संचोदयितुमारेभे मार्जारो मूषिकं तदा॥ किं सौम्य नातित्वरसे किं कृतार्थोऽवमन्यसे। छिन्धि पाशानमित्रघ्न पुरा श्वपच एति च॥
tamatvarantaṃ palitaṃ pāśānāṃ chedane tathā| saṃcodayitumārebhe mārjāro mūṣikaṃ tadā|| kiṃ saumya nātitvarase kiṃ kṛtārtho'vamanyase| chindhi pāśānamitraghna purā śvapaca eti ca||
Seeing the mouse so slow in the work, the cat wishing to hurry it on, said-How is it, O amiable one, that you do not proceed quickly with your work? Do you disregard me now, having accomplished your own work? O slayer of foes, cut off these strings quickly! The hunter will soon come hereइत्युक्तस्त्वरता तेन मतिमान् पलितोऽब्रवीत्।
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.86
मार्जारमकृतप्रज्ञं पथ्यमात्महितं वचः॥
mārjāramakṛtaprajñaṃ pathyamātmahitaṃ vacaḥ||
Thus addressed by the impatient cat, the intelligent mouse said these beneficial words to the cat who did not seem to possess much wisdom-
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.87
तूष्णीं भव न ते सौम्य त्वरा कार्या न सम्भ्रमः। वयमेवात्र कालज्ञा न कालः परिहास्यते॥
tūṣṇīṃ bhava na te saumya tvarā kāryā na sambhramaḥ| vayamevātra kālajñā na kālaḥ parihāsyate||
Wait silently, O amiable one! Quickness is not necessary. Remove all your fears. We know the requirements of time. We are not wasting time.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.88
अकाले कृत्यमारब्धं कर्तुर्नार्थाय कल्पते। तदेव काल आरब्धं महतेऽर्थाय कल्पते॥
akāle kṛtyamārabdhaṃ karturnārthāya kalpate| tadeva kāla ārabdhaṃ mahate'rthāya kalpate||
When a work is begun at an improper time, it never becomes profitable when finished. That act, however, which is undertaken at the proper time, yields rich fruits.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.89
अकाले विप्रमुक्तान्मे त्वत्त एव भयं भवेत्। तस्मात् कालं प्रतीक्षस्व किमिति त्वरसे सखे॥
akāle vipramuktānme tvatta eva bhayaṃ bhavet| tasmāt kālaṃ pratīkṣasva kimiti tvarase sakhe||
If you are freed at an improper time, I shall have to fear you. Therefore, do you wait for the proper moment. Do not be impatient, О friend.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.90
यदा पश्यामि चाण्डालमायान्तं शस्त्रपाणिनम्। ततश्छेत्स्यामि ते पाशान् प्राप्ते साधारणे भये॥
yadā paśyāmi cāṇḍālamāyāntaṃ śastrapāṇinam| tataśchetsyāmi te pāśān prāpte sādhāraṇe bhaye||
When I shall see the hunter come here armed with weapons, I shall cut the strings at that very moment of fear to both of us.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.91
तस्मिन् काले प्रमुक्तस्त्वं तरुमेवाधिरोक्ष्यसे। न हि ते जीवितादन्यत् किंचित् कृत्यं भविष्यति॥
tasmin kāle pramuktastvaṃ tarumevādhirokṣyase| na hi te jīvitādanyat kiṃcit kṛtyaṃ bhaviṣyati||
Freed then, you will get upon the tree and not think of anything else except the safety of your own life.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.92
ततो भवत्यपक्रान्ते त्रस्त भीते च लोमश। अहं बिलं प्रवेक्ष्यामि भवान् शाखां भजिष्यति॥
tato bhavatyapakrānte trasta bhīte ca lomaśa| ahaṃ bilaṃ pravekṣyāmi bhavān śākhāṃ bhajiṣyati||
And when you, O Lomasha, will fly away in fear, I shall enter my hole and you will ascend the tree.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.93
एवमुक्तस्तु मार्जारो मूषिकेणात्मनो हितम्। वचनं वाक्यतत्त्वज्ञो जीवितार्थी महामतिः॥
evamuktastu mārjāro mūṣikeṇātmano hitam| vacanaṃ vākyatattvajño jīvitārthī mahāmatiḥ||
Thus addressed by the mouse with these beneficial words, the intelligent and eloquent cat, impatient of saving his life, addressed the mouse in the following words.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.94
अथात्मकृत्ये त्वरितः सम्यक् प्रश्रितमाचरन्। उवाच लोमशो वाक्यं मूषिकं चिरकारिणम्॥
athātmakṛtye tvaritaḥ samyak praśritamācaran| uvāca lomaśo vākyaṃ mūṣikaṃ cirakāriṇam||
Indeed, the cat, who had quickly and properly carried his own part of the agreement, addressing the mouse who was not quick enough in fulfilling his part, said,-
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.95
न ह्येवं मित्रकार्याणि प्रीत्या कुर्वन्ति साधवः। यथा त्वं मोक्षितः कृच्छ्रात् त्वरमाणेन वै मया॥
na hyevaṃ mitrakāryāṇi prītyā kurvanti sādhavaḥ| yathā tvaṃ mokṣitaḥ kṛcchrāt tvaramāṇena vai mayā||
I saved you from a great danger with considerable promptness. Alas, honest persons never thus do the business of their friends. Filled with joy while doing it, they do it otherwise.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.96
तथा हि त्वरमाणेन त्वया कार्यं हितं मम्। यत्नं कुरु महाप्राज्ञ यथा रक्षाऽऽवयोर्भवेत्॥
tathā hi tvaramāṇena tvayā kāryaṃ hitaṃ mam| yatnaṃ kuru mahāprājña yathā rakṣā''vayorbhavet||
You should do quickly what is for my wellbeing. O you of great wisdom, do you try a little so that good may be done to both of us.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.97
अथवा पूर्ववैरं त्वं स्मरन् कालं जिहीर्षसि। पश्य दुष्कृतकर्मंस्त्वं व्यक्तमायुःक्षयं तव॥
athavā pūrvavairaṃ tvaṃ smaran kālaṃ jihīrṣasi| paśya duṣkṛtakarmaṃstvaṃ vyaktamāyuḥkṣayaṃ tava||
If, however, remembering our former hostility you are only allowing the time to slip away, know, O wicked creature, that the consequence of this your act will surely lessen your own life.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.98
यदि किंचिन्मयाज्ञानात् पुरस्ताद् दुष्कृतं कृतम्। न तन्मनसि कर्तव्यं क्षामये त्वां प्रसीद मे॥
yadi kiṃcinmayājñānāt purastād duṣkṛtaṃ kṛtam| na tanmanasi kartavyaṃ kṣāmaye tvāṃ prasīda me||
If I have ever, before this, unknowingly done you any wrong, you should not bear it in mind. I beg your pardon. Be pleased with me.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.99
तमेवंवादिनः प्राज्ञः शास्त्रबुद्धिसमन्वितः। उवाचेदं वचः श्रेष्ठं मार्जार मूषिकस्तदा॥
tamevaṃvādinaḥ prājñaḥ śāstrabuddhisamanvitaḥ| uvācedaṃ vacaḥ śreṣṭhaṃ mārjāra mūṣikastadā||
After the cat had said these words, the intelligent and wise mouse, well-read in the
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.100
श्रुतं मे तव मार्जार स्वमर्थं परिगृह्णतः। ममापि त्वं विजानासि स्वमर्थं परिगृह्णतः॥
śrutaṃ me tava mārjāra svamarthaṃ parigṛhṇataḥ| mamāpi tvaṃ vijānāsi svamarthaṃ parigṛhṇataḥ||
I have, O cat, heard what you have said to further your own object. Listen, however, to me as I tell you what is proper for my own objects.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.101
यन्मित्रं भीतवत्साध्यं यन्मित्रं भयसंहितम्। सुरक्षितव्यं तत् कार्यं पाणिः सर्पमुखादिव॥
yanmitraṃ bhītavatsādhyaṃ yanmitraṃ bhayasaṃhitam| surakṣitavyaṃ tat kāryaṃ pāṇiḥ sarpamukhādiva||
That friendship which is beset with fear and which cannot be maintained without fear, should be preserved with great caution like the hand (of the snake-charmer) from the snake's fangs!
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.102
कृत्वा बलवता संधिमात्मनं यो न रक्षति। अपथ्यमिव तद् भुक्तं तस्य नार्थाय कल्पते॥
kṛtvā balavatā saṃdhimātmanaṃ yo na rakṣati| apathyamiva tad bhuktaṃ tasya nārthāya kalpate||
The person that does not protect himself after having made an agreement with a stronger individual, sees that is yields instead of good.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.103
न कश्चित् कस्यचिन्मित्रं न कश्चित् कस्यचिद् रिपुः। अर्थतस्तु निबद्ध्यन्ते मित्राणि रिपवस्तथा॥
na kaścit kasyacinmitraṃ na kaścit kasyacid ripuḥ| arthatastu nibaddhyante mitrāṇi ripavastathā||
Nobody is nobody's friend; nobody is nobody's enemy; persons becomes friends or enemies only from motives of interest.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.104
अथैरा निबद्ध्यन्ते गजैर्वनगजा इव। न च कश्चित् कृते कार्ये कर्तारं समवेक्षते॥ तस्मात् सर्वाणि कार्याणि सावशेषाणि कारयेत्।
athairā nibaddhyante gajairvanagajā iva| na ca kaścit kṛte kārye kartāraṃ samavekṣate|| tasmāt sarvāṇi kāryāṇi sāvaśeṣāṇi kārayet|
Interest brings interest even as tame elephants catch wild elephants. Again, when a work is done, the doer is hardly thought of. Therefore, all works should be so done that something may remain undone.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.105
तस्मिन् कालेऽपि च भवान् दिवाकीर्तिभयादितः॥११२। मम न ग्रहणे शक्तः पलायनपरायणः। छिन्नं तु तन्तुबाहुल्यं तन्तुरेकोऽवशेषितः॥ छेत्स्याम्यहं तमप्याशु निर्वृतो भव लोमश।
tasmin kāle'pi ca bhavān divākīrtibhayāditaḥ||112| mama na grahaṇe śaktaḥ palāyanaparāyaṇaḥ| chinnaṃ tu tantubāhulyaṃ tantureko'vaśeṣitaḥ|| chetsyāmyahaṃ tamapyāśu nirvṛto bhava lomaśa|
When I shall liberate you, you will, from fear of the hunter, fly away for your life without ever thinking of catching me. See, all the strings of this net have been cut by me. Only one remains to be cut. I will cut that also soon. Be comforted, O Lomasha.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.106
तयोः संवदतोरेवं तथैवापन्नयोर्द्वयोः॥ क्षयं जगाम सा रात्रिर्लोमशं त्वाविशद् भयम्।
tayoḥ saṃvadatorevaṃ tathaivāpannayordvayoḥ|| kṣayaṃ jagāma sā rātrirlomaśaṃ tvāviśad bhayam|
While the mouse and the cat were thus conversing, both in serious danger, the night gradually passed away. A great fear, however, possessed the heart of the cat.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.107
ततः प्रभातसमये विकृतः कृष्णपिङ्गलः॥ स्थूलस्फिग् विकृतो रूक्षः श्वयूथपरिवारितः। शंकुकर्णो महावक्त्रो मलिनो घोरदर्शनः॥ परिघो नाम चाण्डाल: शस्त्रपाणिरदृश्यत।
tataḥ prabhātasamaye vikṛtaḥ kṛṣṇapiṅgalaḥ|| sthūlasphig vikṛto rūkṣaḥ śvayūthaparivāritaḥ| śaṃkukarṇo mahāvaktro malino ghoradarśanaḥ|| parigho nāma cāṇḍāla: śastrapāṇiradṛśyata|
When the dawn set in, the Chandala, whose name was Parigha, came there. His appearance was terrible. His hair was black and tawny. His hips were huge and his look was very fierce. Of a large mouth extending from ear to ear, and highly filthy, his ears were very long. man Armed with weapons and accompanied by a pack of dogs, the grim-visaged man came there.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.108
तं दृष्ट्वा यमदूताभं मार्जारस्त्रस्तचेतनः॥ उवाच वचनं भीतः किमिदानीं करिष्यसि।
taṃ dṛṣṭvā yamadūtābhaṃ mārjārastrastacetanaḥ|| uvāca vacanaṃ bhītaḥ kimidānīṃ kariṣyasi|
Seeing that who resembled a messenger of Yama, the cat was stricken with fear. Filled with fear, he addressed Palita, saying,-What will you do now?
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.109
अथ तावपि संत्रस्तौ तं दृष्ट्वा घोरसंकुलम्॥ क्षणेन नकुलोलूको नैराश्यमुपजग्मतुः। बलिनौ मतिमन्तौ च संघाते चाप्युपागतौ॥ अशक्तौ सुनयात् तस्मात् सम्प्रधर्षयितुं बलात्। कार्यार्थे कृतसंधानौ दृष्ट्वा मार्जारमूषिकौ॥ उलूकनकुलौ तत्र जग्मतुः स्वं स्वमालयम्।
atha tāvapi saṃtrastau taṃ dṛṣṭvā ghorasaṃkulam|| kṣaṇena nakulolūko nairāśyamupajagmatuḥ| balinau matimantau ca saṃghāte cāpyupāgatau|| aśaktau sunayāt tasmāt sampradharṣayituṃ balāt| kāryārthe kṛtasaṃdhānau dṛṣṭvā mārjāramūṣikau|| ulūkanakulau tatra jagmatuḥ svaṃ svamālayam|
The two were afraid seeing dreadful Chandala, mongoose and owl came in to hopeless. Indeed they were very strong and intelligent but could not over-press on strength less but with good conduct cat and mouse. Therefore, they both owl and mangoose left for their own place.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.110
ततश्चिच्छेद तं पाशं मार्जारस्य च मूषिकः॥ विप्रमुक्तोऽथ मार्जारस्तमेवाभ्यपतद् दुमम्। स तस्मात् सम्भ्रमावर्तान्मुक्तो घोरेण शत्रुणा॥ बिलं विवेश पलितः शाखां लेभे स लोमशः।
tataściccheda taṃ pāśaṃ mārjārasya ca mūṣikaḥ|| vipramukto'tha mārjārastamevābhyapatad dumam| sa tasmāt sambhramāvartānmukto ghoreṇa śatruṇā|| bilaṃ viveśa palitaḥ śākhāṃ lebhe sa lomaśaḥ|
The mouse very quickly cut the remaining string which held fast that cat. Freed from the noose, the cat run quickly and got upon the banian. Palita also, freed from that perilous position and from the presence of a terrible enemy quickly fled and entered his hole. Lomasha meanwhile had got upon the high tree.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.111
उन्माथमप्यथादाय चाण्डालो वीक्ष्य सर्वशः॥ विहताशः क्षणेनास्ते तस्माद् देशादपाक्रमत्।
unmāthamapyathādāya cāṇḍālo vīkṣya sarvaśaḥ|| vihatāśaḥ kṣaṇenāste tasmād deśādapākramat|
Seeing everything, the hunter took up his net. His hopes defeated, he also quickly left that place.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.112
जगाम स स्वभवनं चाण्डालो भरतर्षभ॥ ततस्तस्माद् भयान्मुक्तो दुर्लभं प्राप्य जीवितम्। बिलस्थं पादपाग्रस्थः पलितं लोमशोऽब्रवीत्॥ अकृत्वा संविदं काञ्चित् सहसा समवप्लुतः। कृतज्ञं कृतकर्माणं कच्चिन्मां नाभिशंकसे॥
jagāma sa svabhavanaṃ cāṇḍālo bharatarṣabha|| tatastasmād bhayānmukto durlabhaṃ prāpya jīvitam| bilasthaṃ pādapāgrasthaḥ palitaṃ lomaśo'bravīt|| akṛtvā saṃvidaṃ kāñcit sahasā samavaplutaḥ| kṛtajñaṃ kṛtakarmāṇaṃ kaccinmāṃ nābhiśaṃkase||
Indeed, O foremost of Bharata's race, the Chandala returned to his house freed from that great danger, and having regained his precious life, the cat from the branches of that tree addressed the mouse Palita then living with in the hole, and said,-Without having talked to me, you have suddenly run away. I hope you do not suspect me of any evil motive. I am certainly grateful and you have done me a great service.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.113
गत्वा च मम विश्वासं दत्त्वा च मम जीवितम्। मित्रोपभोगसमये किं मां त्वं नोपसर्पसि॥
gatvā ca mama viśvāsaṃ dattvā ca mama jīvitam| mitropabhogasamaye kiṃ māṃ tvaṃ nopasarpasi||
Having created confidence in me and having given me my life, why do you not come to me at a time when friends should enjoy the sweets of friendship?
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.114
कृत्वा हि पूर्वं मित्राणि यः पश्चान्नानुतिष्ठति। न स मित्राणि लभते कृच्छ्रास्वापत्सु दुर्मतिः॥
kṛtvā hi pūrvaṃ mitrāṇi yaḥ paścānnānutiṣṭhati| na sa mitrāṇi labhate kṛcchrāsvāpatsu durmatiḥ||
Having made friends, he who forgets them afterwards, is a wicked person and never gets friends at times of danger and necessity.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.115
सत्कृतोऽहं त्वया मित्र सामर्थ्यादात्मनः सखे। स मां मित्रत्वमापन्नमुपभोक्तुं त्वमर्हसि॥
satkṛto'haṃ tvayā mitra sāmarthyādātmanaḥ sakhe| sa māṃ mitratvamāpannamupabhoktuṃ tvamarhasi||
I have been, O friend, respected and served by you to the best of your power. You should now enjoy the company of my poor self who has become your friend.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.116
यानि मे सन्ति मित्राणि ये च सम्बन्धिबान्धवाः। सर्वे त्वां पूजयिष्यन्ति शिष्या गुरुमिव प्रियम्॥
yāni me santi mitrāṇi ye ca sambandhibāndhavāḥ| sarve tvāṃ pūjayiṣyanti śiṣyā gurumiva priyam||
Like disciples adoring their preceptor, all the friends I have, all my relatives and kinsmen, will respect and adore you.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.117
अहं च पूजयिष्ये त्वां समित्रगणबान्धवम्। जीवितस्य प्रदातारं कृतज्ञः को न पूजयेत्॥
ahaṃ ca pūjayiṣye tvāṃ samitragaṇabāndhavam| jīvitasya pradātāraṃ kṛtajñaḥ ko na pūjayet||
I myself too shall adore you with all your friends and kinsmen. What grateful person is there who will not adore the giver of his life.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.118
ईश्वरो मे भवानस्तु स्वशरीरगृहस्य च। अर्थानां चैव सर्वेषामनुशास्ता च मे भव॥
īśvaro me bhavānastu svaśarīragṛhasya ca| arthānāṃ caiva sarveṣāmanuśāstā ca me bhava||
Be you the master of both my body and home! Be you the disposer of all my wealth and properties.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.119
अमात्यो मे भव प्राज्ञ पितेवेह प्रशाधि माम्। न तेऽस्ति भयमस्मत्तो जीवितेनात्मनः शपे॥
amātyo me bhava prājña piteveha praśādhi mām| na te'sti bhayamasmatto jīvitenātmanaḥ śape||
Be you my respected adviser and do you govern me like a father! I swear by my life that you need not fear us.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.120
बुद्ध्यात्वमुशना साक्षाद् बलेनाधिकृता वयम्। त्वं मन्त्रबलयुक्तो हि दत्त्वा जीवितमद्य मे॥
buddhyātvamuśanā sākṣād balenādhikṛtā vayam| tvaṃ mantrabalayukto hi dattvā jīvitamadya me||
In intelligence you are like Ushanas himself. By the power of your understanding you have conquered us. Clever in policy, you have given us our life.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.121
एवमुक्तः परां शान्ति मारिण स मूषिकः। उवाच परमन्त्रज्ञः श्लक्ष्णमात्महितं वचः॥
evamuktaḥ parāṃ śānti māriṇa sa mūṣikaḥ| uvāca paramantrajñaḥ ślakṣṇamātmahitaṃ vacaḥ||
Accosted thus with sweet words by the cat, the mouse, who knew all which produces the highest good, replied in these sweet words that were beneficial to himself.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.122
यद् भवानाह तत् सर्वं मया ते लोमश श्रुतम्। ममापि तावद् ब्रुवतः शृणु यत् प्रतिभाति मे॥
yad bhavānāha tat sarvaṃ mayā te lomaśa śrutam| mamāpi tāvad bruvataḥ śṛṇu yat pratibhāti me||
I have heard, O Lomasha, all that you have, said. Listen now as I say what I think.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.123
वेदितव्यानि मित्राणि विज्ञेयाश्चापि शत्रवः। एतत् सुसूक्ष्मं लोकेऽस्मिन् दृश्यते प्राज्ञसम्मतम्॥
veditavyāni mitrāṇi vijñeyāścāpi śatravaḥ| etat susūkṣmaṃ loke'smin dṛśyate prājñasammatam||
Friends should be well tried. Enemies also should be well studied. In this world, a task like this is considered by even the learned as a difficult one requiring sharp intelligence.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.124
शत्रुरूपा हि सुहृदो मित्ररूपाश्च शत्रवः। संधितास्ते न बुद्ध्यन्ते कामक्रोधवशं गताः॥
śatrurūpā hi suhṛdo mitrarūpāśca śatravaḥ| saṃdhitāste na buddhyante kāmakrodhavaśaṃ gatāḥ||
Friends appear like enemies, and enemies appear like friends. When agreements of friendship are made, it is difficult for the parties to know whether they are really actuated by lust and anger.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.125
नास्ति जातु रिपुर्नाम मित्रं नाम न विद्यते। सामर्थ्ययोगाज्जायन्ते मित्राणि रिपवस्तथा॥
nāsti jātu ripurnāma mitraṃ nāma na vidyate| sāmarthyayogājjāyante mitrāṇi ripavastathā||
There is no such thing as a friend. It is circumstances which make friends and enemies.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.126
यो यस्मिन् जीवति स्वार्थं पश्येत् पीडां न जीवति। स तस्य मित्रं तावत्स्याद् यावन्न स्याद् विपर्ययः॥१४०
yo yasmin jīvati svārthaṃ paśyet pīḍāṃ na jīvati| sa tasya mitraṃ tāvatsyād yāvanna syād viparyayaḥ||140
He, who considers his own interests safe as long as another lives, and thinks himself in danger when the latter dies takes him as his friend so long as those interests of his are not clashed against.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.127
स्ति मैत्री स्थिरा नाम न च ध्रुवमसौहृदम्। अर्थयुक्त्यानुजायन्ते मित्राणि रिपवस्तथा॥
sti maitrī sthirā nāma na ca dhruvamasauhṛdam| arthayuktyānujāyante mitrāṇi ripavastathā||
There is no condition that passes for ever by the name either of friendship or enemies. Both friends and enemies arise from considerations of interest and gain.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.128
मित्रं च शत्रुतामेति कस्मिंश्चित् कालपर्यये। शत्रुश्च मित्रतामेति स्वार्थो हि बलवत्तरः॥
mitraṃ ca śatrutāmeti kasmiṃścit kālaparyaye| śatruśca mitratāmeti svārtho hi balavattaraḥ||
Friendship becomes enmity in the course of time. An enemy also becomes a friend. Selfinterest is very powerful.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.129
यो विश्वसिति मित्रेषु न विश्वसिति शत्रुषु। अर्थयुक्तिमविज्ञाय यः प्रीतौ कुरुते मनः॥ मित्रे वा यदि वा शत्रौ तस्यापि चलिता मतिः।
yo viśvasiti mitreṣu na viśvasiti śatruṣu| arthayuktimavijñāya yaḥ prītau kurute manaḥ|| mitre vā yadi vā śatrau tasyāpi calitā matiḥ|
He, who blindly places confidence in friends and always treats enemies mistrustfully without paying any heed to considerations of policy, finds his life unsafe. He, who, neglecting all considerations of policy, seeks either friends or foes, is regarded as a person whose understanding has been unhinged.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.130
न विश्वसेदविश्वस्ते विश्वस्ते नातिविश्वसेत्॥ विश्वासाद् भयमुत्पन्नमपि मूलानि कृन्तति।
na viśvasedaviśvaste viśvaste nātiviśvaset|| viśvāsād bhayamutpannamapi mūlāni kṛntati|
One should not trust a person undeserving of truth, nor should one trust too much a person worthy of trust. The anger from blind confidence is such that it cuts the very roots.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.131
अर्थयुक्त्या हि जायन्ते पिता माता सुतस्तथा॥ मातुला भागिनेयाश्च तथा सम्बन्धिबान्धवाः।
arthayuktyā hi jāyante pitā mātā sutastathā|| mātulā bhāgineyāśca tathā sambandhibāndhavāḥ|
The father, the mother, the son, the maternal uncle, the sister's son, and other relatives and kinsmen, are all moved by interest and profit.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.132
पुत्रं हि मातापितरौ त्यजतः पतितं प्रियम्॥ लोको रक्षति चात्मानं पश्य स्वार्थस्य सारताम्।
putraṃ hi mātāpitarau tyajataḥ patitaṃ priyam|| loko rakṣati cātmānaṃ paśya svārthasya sāratām|
Father and mother may be seen to discard the dear son if he is addicted to irregular practices. People take care of their own selves. See the efficacy of self-interest.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.133
सामान्या निष्कृतिः प्राज्ञ यो मोक्षात् प्रत्यनन्तरम्॥१४७। कृतं मृगयसे शत्रु सुखोपायमसंशयम्।
sāmānyā niṣkṛtiḥ prājña yo mokṣāt pratyanantaram||147| kṛtaṃ mṛgayase śatru sukhopāyamasaṃśayam|
O highly wise one, his escape is very difficult, who, immediately after he is freed from danger, seeks the means of his enemy's happiness.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.134
अस्मिन् निलय एव त्वं न्यग्रोधादवतारितः॥ पूर्वं निविष्टमुन्मार्थ चपलत्वान्न बुद्धवान्।
asmin nilaya eva tvaṃ nyagrodhādavatāritaḥ|| pūrvaṃ niviṣṭamunmārtha capalatvānna buddhavān|
You have come down from the top of the tree to this very spot. You could not, from foolishness know that a net had been spread here.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.135
आत्मनश्चपलो नास्ति कुतोऽन्येषां भविष्यति॥ तस्मात् सर्वाणि कार्याणि चपलो हन्त्यसंशयम्।
ātmanaścapalo nāsti kuto'nyeṣāṃ bhaviṣyati|| tasmāt sarvāṇi kāryāṇi capalo hantyasaṃśayam|
A person, who has no sense, cannot protect his own self. How can be protect others? Such a person, forsooth, ruins all his acts.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.136
ब्रवीषि मधुरं यच्च प्रियो मेऽद्य भवानिति॥ तन्मित्र कारणं सर्वं विस्तरेणापि मे शृणु।
bravīṣi madhuraṃ yacca priyo me'dya bhavāniti|| tanmitra kāraṇaṃ sarvaṃ vistareṇāpi me śṛṇu|
You speak sweetly that I am very dear to you. Hear me, however, O friends, the reasons which I have on my side.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.137
कारणात् प्रियतामेति द्वेष्यो भवति कारणात्॥ अर्थार्थी जीवलोकोऽयं न कश्चित् कस्यचित् प्रियः।
kāraṇāt priyatāmeti dveṣyo bhavati kāraṇāt|| arthārthī jīvaloko'yaṃ na kaścit kasyacit priyaḥ|
One becomes dear from a sufficient cause. One becomes an enemy from sufficient cause. The entire world of creatures is actuated by the desire of gain. One never becomes dear to another without cause.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.138
सख्यं सोदर्ययोर्धात्रोर्दम्पत्योर्वा परस्परम्॥ कस्यचिन्नाभिजानामि प्रीति निष्कारणामिह। यद्यपि भ्रातरः क्रुद्धा भार्या वा कारणान्तरे॥ स्वभावतस्ते प्रीयन्ते नेतरः प्रीयते जनः।
sakhyaṃ sodaryayordhātrordampatyorvā parasparam|| kasyacinnābhijānāmi prīti niṣkāraṇāmiha| yadyapi bhrātaraḥ kruddhā bhāryā vā kāraṇāntare|| svabhāvataste prīyante netaraḥ prīyate janaḥ|
The friendship between two uterine brothers, the love between husband and wife, rests upon interest. I do not know any kind of love amongst persons that does not depend upon some motive of self-interest. It is sometimes seen that uterine brothers or husband and wife having quarrelled are united again from a natural affection. But such a thing is not to be seen in persons who are not connected with one another.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.139
प्रियो भवति दानेन प्रियवादेन चापरः॥ मन्त्रहोमजपैरन्यः कार्यार्थं प्रीयते जनः।
priyo bhavati dānena priyavādena cāparaḥ|| mantrahomajapairanyaḥ kāryārthaṃ prīyate janaḥ|
One becomes dear for his liberality. Another becomes dear for his sweet words. A third becomes so for his religious acts. Generally, a person becomes dear for the purpose he serves.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.140
उत्पन्ना कारणे प्रीतिरासीनौ कारणान्तरे॥ प्रध्वस्ते कारणस्थाने सा प्रीतिर्विनिवर्तते।
utpannā kāraṇe prītirāsīnau kāraṇāntare|| pradhvaste kāraṇasthāne sā prītirvinivartate|
The love between us originated from an adequate cause, That cause no longer exists. On the other hand, from sufficient reasons that friendship between us has terminated,
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.141
किं नु तत् कारणं मन्ये येनाहं भवतः प्रियः॥ अन्यत्राभ्यवहारार्थं तत्रापि च बुधा वयम्।
kiṃ nu tat kāraṇaṃ manye yenāhaṃ bhavataḥ priyaḥ|| anyatrābhyavahārārthaṃ tatrāpi ca budhā vayam|
What is that reason, I ask, for which I have become so dear to you, besides your desire for eating me up? You should know that I am not forgetful of this.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.142
कालो हेतुं विकुरुते स्वार्थस्तमनुवर्तते॥ स्वार्थं प्राज्ञोऽभिजानाति प्राज्ञं लोकोऽनुवर्तते। न त्वीदृशं त्वया वाच्यं विदुषि स्वार्थपण्डिते॥
kālo hetuṃ vikurute svārthastamanuvartate|| svārthaṃ prājño'bhijānāti prājñaṃ loko'nuvartate| na tvīdṛśaṃ tvayā vācyaṃ viduṣi svārthapaṇḍite||
Time spoils reasons. You seek your own interests. Otherwise men, again, understand their own interests. The world is guided by the example of the wise. You should not thus speak to a person who is learned and capable of understanding his own interests.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.143
अकाले हि समर्थस्य स्नेहहेतुरयं तव। तस्मान्नाहं चले स्वार्थात् सुस्थिरः संधिविग्रहे॥ अभ्राणामिव रूपाणि विकुर्वन्ति क्षणे क्षणे। अद्यैव हि रिपुर्भूत्वा पुनरद्यैव मे सुहृत्॥ पुनश्च रिपुरद्यैव युक्तीनां पश्य चापलम्।
akāle hi samarthasya snehaheturayaṃ tava| tasmānnāhaṃ cale svārthāt susthiraḥ saṃdhivigrahe|| abhrāṇāmiva rūpāṇi vikurvanti kṣaṇe kṣaṇe| adyaiva hi ripurbhūtvā punaradyaiva me suhṛt|| punaśca ripuradyaiva yuktīnāṃ paśya cāpalam|
You are powerful. The reason which you show for your love for me now is ill-timed. Moved, however, by my own interests, I am always very strong about peace and war that are themselves very unstable. The circumstances under which peace is to be made or war declared change as speedily as the clouds change their form. This very day you were my enemy. This every day again, you becaiae my friend. This very day you have again become my enemy. Mark the considerations that move living creatures!
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.144
आसी-मैत्री तु तावन्नौ यावद्धतुरभूत् पुरा॥ सा गता सह तेनैव कालयुक्तेन हेतुना।
āsī-maitrī tu tāvannau yāvaddhaturabhūt purā|| sā gatā saha tenaiva kālayuktena hetunā|
There was friendship between us as long as there was necessity for the same. That reason, the outcome of time, is gone. Without it, that friendship also has passed away.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.145
त्वं हि मे जातितः शत्रुः सामर्थ्यान्मित्रतां गतः॥ तत् कृत्यमभिनिवर्त्य प्रकृतिः शत्रुतां गता।
tvaṃ hi me jātitaḥ śatruḥ sāmarthyānmitratāṃ gataḥ|| tat kṛtyamabhinivartya prakṛtiḥ śatrutāṃ gatā|
You are by nature my enemy. From circumsiances you became my friend. That state of things has gone away. The old but natural state of enmity has returned.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.146
सोऽहमेवं प्रणीतानि ज्ञात्वा शास्त्राणि तत्त्वतः॥ प्रविशेयं कथं पाशं त्वत्कृते तद् वदस्व मे।
so'hamevaṃ praṇītāni jñātvā śāstrāṇi tattvataḥ|| praviśeyaṃ kathaṃ pāśaṃ tvatkṛte tad vadasva me|
I am well-read in the dictates of policy; tell me, why shall I enter to-day, for your sake, the net that is spread for me?
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.147
त्ववीर्येण प्रमुक्ताऽहं मदूवीर्येण तथा भवान्॥ अन्योन्यानुग्रहे वृत्ते नास्ति भूयः समागमः।
tvavīryeṇa pramuktā'haṃ madūvīryeṇa tathā bhavān|| anyonyānugrahe vṛtte nāsti bhūyaḥ samāgamaḥ|
Through your power I was freed from a great danger. Through my power you have। been freed from a similar danger. Each of us has served the other. There is no need for us for becoming friends again.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.148
त्वं हि सौम्य कृतार्थोऽद्य निर्वृत्तार्थास्तथा वयम्॥ न तेऽस्त्यद्य मया कृत्यं किंचिदन्यत्र भक्षणात्।
tvaṃ hi saumya kṛtārtho'dya nirvṛttārthāstathā vayam|| na te'styadya mayā kṛtyaṃ kiṃcidanyatra bhakṣaṇāt|
O amiable one, your object has been accomplished. The object I had, has also been accomplished. You do not require me except to make me your food.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.149
अहमन्नं भवान् भोक्ता दुर्बलोऽहं भवान् बली॥ नावयोर्विद्यते संधिर्वियुक्ते विषमे बले।
ahamannaṃ bhavān bhoktā durbalo'haṃ bhavān balī|| nāvayorvidyate saṃdhirviyukte viṣame bale|
I am your food. You are the eater. I am weak. You are strong. There cannot be any friendship between us when we are so unevenly placed.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.150
स मन्येऽहं तव प्रज्ञां यन्मोक्षात् प्रत्यनन्तरम्॥ भक्ष्यं मृगयसे नूनं सुखोपायेन कर्मणा।
sa manye'haṃ tava prajñāṃ yanmokṣāt pratyanantaram|| bhakṣyaṃ mṛgayase nūnaṃ sukhopāyena karmaṇā|
I understand your wisdom. Having been released from the net, you speak highly of me so that you may easily make food to me.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.151
भक्ष्यार्थं ह्यवबद्धस्त्वं स मुक्तः पीडितः क्षुधा॥ शास्त्रजां मतिमास्थाय नूनं भक्षयिताध माम्।
bhakṣyārthaṃ hyavabaddhastvaṃ sa muktaḥ pīḍitaḥ kṣudhā|| śāstrajāṃ matimāsthāya nūnaṃ bhakṣayitādha mām|
You were entangled in the net for the sake of food. You have been freed from it. You feel now the pangs of hunger. Following wisdom of the scriptures, you try to eat me up to-day.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.152
जानामि क्षुधितं दु त्वामाहारसमयश्च ते॥ स त्वं मानभिसंधाय भक्ष्यं मृगयसे पुनः।
jānāmi kṣudhitaṃ du tvāmāhārasamayaśca te|| sa tvaṃ mānabhisaṃdhāya bhakṣyaṃ mṛgayase punaḥ|
I know that you are hungry. I know that this is the time of you taking food. You are seeking your prey, and you have your eyes on me.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.153
त्वं चापि पुत्रदारस्थो यत् संधि सृजसे मयि॥ शुश्रूषां यतसे कर्तुं सखे मम न तत् क्षमम्।
tvaṃ cāpi putradārastho yat saṃdhi sṛjase mayi|| śuśrūṣāṃ yatase kartuṃ sakhe mama na tat kṣamam|
You have sons and wives, You still try to make friends hip srith me and wish to treat me with affection anu do me vices. O friend, I carnot accept this proposal.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.154
त्वया मां सहितं दृष्ट्वा प्रिया भार्या सुताश्च ते॥ कस्मात् ते मां न खादेयुर्हशः प्रणयिनस्त्वयि।
tvayā māṃ sahitaṃ dṛṣṭvā priyā bhāryā sutāśca te|| kasmāt te māṃ na khādeyurhaśaḥ praṇayinastvayi|
Seeing me with you, why will not your dear wife and your loving children cheerfully eat me up?
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.155
नाहं त्वया समेष्यापि वृत्तो हेतुः समागमे॥ शिवं ध्यायस्व मे स्वस्थः सुकृतं स्मरसे यदि।
nāhaṃ tvayā sameṣyāpi vṛtto hetuḥ samāgame|| śivaṃ dhyāyasva me svasthaḥ sukṛtaṃ smarase yadi|
I shall not, therefore, make friendship with you. There is no reason any longer for such a union. If, indeed, you do not forget my good offices, think of what will be good for me and be comfortable.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.156
शत्रोरनार्यभूतस्य क्लिष्टस्य क्षुधितस्य च॥ भक्ष्यं मृगयमाणस्य कः प्राज्ञो विषयं व्रजेत्।
śatroranāryabhūtasya kliṣṭasya kṣudhitasya ca|| bhakṣyaṃ mṛgayamāṇasya kaḥ prājño viṣayaṃ vrajet|
What sane man will place himself under the power of an enemy who is not well-known for virtue, who is hungry, and who is in search of a prey?
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.157
स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु गमिष्यामि दूरादपि तवोद्विजे॥ विश्वस्तं वा प्रमत्तं वा एतदेव कृतं भवेत्।
svasti te'stu gamiṣyāmi dūrādapi tavodvije|| viśvastaṃ vā pramattaṃ vā etadeva kṛtaṃ bhavet|
If you think that I have done you a service, do me a friend's work when I may happen to move trustfully or carelessly. Even that will be gratitude in you.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.158
बलवत्संनिकर्षो हि न कदाचित् प्रशस्यते॥ नाहं त्वया समेष्यामि निवृत्तो भव लोमश।
balavatsaṃnikarṣo hi na kadācit praśasyate|| nāhaṃ tvayā sameṣyāmi nivṛtto bhava lomaśa|
Be happy then, I will presently leave you. I am afraid even to see you from a distance. I shall not mix with you, give up your attempts, OLomasha!
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.159
यदि त्वं सुकृतं वेत्सि तत् सख्यमनुसारय॥ प्रशान्तादपि मे पापाद् भेतव्यं बलिन: सदा।
yadi tvaṃ sukṛtaṃ vetsi tat sakhyamanusāraya|| praśāntādapi me pāpād bhetavyaṃ balina: sadā|
To live near a powerful and strong person is never praiseworthy. Even if the estimated danger no longer exists, I should always fear one more powerful than myself.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.160
यदि स्वार्थं न ते कार्यं ब्रूहि किं करवाणि ते॥ कामं सर्वं प्रदास्यामि न त्वाऽऽत्मानं कदाचन।
yadi svārthaṃ na te kāryaṃ brūhi kiṃ karavāṇi te|| kāmaṃ sarvaṃ pradāsyāmi na tvā''tmānaṃ kadācana|
If you do not seek your own interests, tell me then what is there that I can do for you. I shall certainly give you everything save my life.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.161
आत्मार्थे संततिस्त्याज्या राज्यं रत्नं धनानि च॥ अपि सर्वस्वमुत्सृज्य रक्षेदात्मानमात्मना।
ātmārthe saṃtatistyājyā rājyaṃ ratnaṃ dhanāni ca|| api sarvasvamutsṛjya rakṣedātmānamātmanā|
For protecting one's own self one should abandon his very children, kingdom, jewels, and wealth. One should sacrifice one's all for protecting one's own self.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.162
ऐश्वर्यधनरत्नानां प्रत्यमित्रे निवर्तताम्॥ दृष्ट्वा हि पुनरावृत्ति वतामिति नः श्रुतम्।
aiśvaryadhanaratnānāṃ pratyamitre nivartatām|| dṛṣṭvā hi punarāvṛtti vatāmiti naḥ śrutam|
If a person lives he can recover all the wealth that he may have to give to enemies for protecting his life.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.163
न त्वात्मनः सम्प्रदानं धनरलवदिष्यते॥ आत्मा हि सर्वदा रक्ष्यो दारैरपि धनैरपि।
na tvātmanaḥ sampradānaṃ dhanaralavadiṣyate|| ātmā hi sarvadā rakṣyo dārairapi dhanairapi|
It is not desirable to abandon life like one's riches. Indeed, one's own self should always be protected by, as I have already said, even removing his wives and wealth.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.164
आत्मरक्षणतन्त्राणां सुपरीक्षितकारिणाम्॥ आपदो नोपपद्यन्ते पुरुषाणां स्वदोषजाः।
ātmarakṣaṇatantrāṇāṃ suparīkṣitakāriṇām|| āpado nopapadyante puruṣāṇāṃ svadoṣajāḥ|
Persons who care to protect their own selves and who do all their works after a proper consideration, never suffer from dangers as the consequence of their acts.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.165
शत्रून् सम्यग् विजानन्ति दुर्बला ये बलीयसः॥ न तेषां चाल्यते बुद्धिः शास्त्रार्थकृतनिश्चया।
śatrūn samyag vijānanti durbalā ye balīyasaḥ|| na teṣāṃ cālyate buddhiḥ śāstrārthakṛtaniścayā|
The weak always regard the powerful as their enemies. Their understanding, based firmly on the truths of the scriptures, is never unhinged.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.166
इत्यभिव्यक्तमेवं स पलितेनाभिभर्त्तितः॥ मार्जारो वीडितो भूत्वा मूषिकं वाक्यमब्रवीत्॥
ityabhivyaktamevaṃ sa palitenābhibharttitaḥ|| mārjāro vīḍito bhūtvā mūṣikaṃ vākyamabravīt||
Thus rebuked by the mouse palita the cat, hushing with shame, said to the mouse.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.167
लोमश उवाच सत्यं शपे त्वयाहं वै मित्रद्रोहो विगर्हितः। तन्मन्येऽहं तव प्रज्ञा यस्त्वं मम हिते रतः॥
lomaśa uvāca satyaṃ śape tvayāhaṃ vai mitradroho vigarhitaḥ| tanmanye'haṃ tava prajñā yastvaṃ mama hite rataḥ||
Lomasha said Truly I swear by you that I conside it highly censurable to injure a friend. I know your wisdom. I know also that you are devoted to my self-being.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.168
उक्तवानर्थतत्त्वेन मयासम्भिन्नदर्शनः। न तु मामन्यथा साधो त्वं ग्रहीतुमिहार्हसि॥
uktavānarthatattvena mayāsambhinnadarśanaḥ| na tu māmanyathā sādho tvaṃ grahītumihārhasi||
Guided by the science of profit, you have said that there is sufficient cause for a breach between you and me. You should not, however, O good friend, take me for what I am not!
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.169
प्राणप्रदानजं त्वत्तां मयि सौहृदमागतम्। धर्मज्ञोऽस्मि गुणज्ञोऽस्मि कृतज्ञोऽस्मि विशेषतः॥
prāṇapradānajaṃ tvattāṃ mayi sauhṛdamāgatam| dharmajño'smi guṇajño'smi kṛtajño'smi viśeṣataḥ||
I consider you a great friend for your having saved my life. I am, again, familiar with duties. I always appreciate other people's merits. I am very grateful for services received.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.170
मित्रेषु वत्सलश्चास्मि त्वद्भक्तश्च विशेषतः। तस्मादेवं पुन: साधो मय्याचरितुमर्हसि॥
mitreṣu vatsalaścāsmi tvadbhaktaśca viśeṣataḥ| tasmādevaṃ puna: sādho mayyācaritumarhasi||
I am devoted to the service of friends. I am, again, especially devoted to you. For these reasons, O good friend, you should reunite yourself with me.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.171
त्वया हि वाच्यमानोऽहं जह्यां प्राणान् सबान्धवः। विश्रम्भो हि बुधैर्दृष्टो मद्विधेषु मनस्विषु॥ तदेतद् धर्मतत्त्वज्ञ न त्वं शङ्कितुमर्हसि।
tvayā hi vācyamāno'haṃ jahyāṃ prāṇān sabāndhavaḥ| viśrambho hi budhairdṛṣṭo madvidheṣu manasviṣu|| tadetad dharmatattvajña na tvaṃ śaṅkitumarhasi|
If I am ordered by you, I can, with all my kinsmen and relatives, sacrifice my very life. The learned and wise see sufficient reasons for reposing their confidence in persons of such mental disposition as ourselves. O you who are a master of the truths of morality, you should not suspect me.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.172
इति संस्तूयमानोऽपि मारिण स मूषिकः॥ मनसा भावगम्भीरो मार्जारं वाक्यमब्रवीत्।
iti saṃstūyamāno'pi māriṇa sa mūṣikaḥ|| manasā bhāvagambhīro mārjāraṃ vākyamabravīt|
Thus addressed by the cat, the mouse, thinking a while, said these weighty words to the former.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.173
साधुर्भवाश्रुतार्थोऽस्मि प्रीये च न च विश्वसे॥ संस्तवैर्वा धनौधैर्वा नाहं शक्यः पुनस्त्वया।
sādhurbhavāśrutārtho'smi prīye ca na ca viśvase|| saṃstavairvā dhanaudhairvā nāhaṃ śakyaḥ punastvayā|
You are highly good. I have heard all that you have said and am glad to hear you. For all that, however, I cannot trust you. It is impossible for you, by such eulogiums or by present of great wealth, to induce me to unite with you again.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.174
न ह्यमित्रे वशं यान्ति प्राज्ञा निष्कारणं सखे॥ अस्मिन्नर्थे च गाथे द्वे निबोधोशनसा कृते।
na hyamitre vaśaṃ yānti prājñā niṣkāraṇaṃ sakhe|| asminnarthe ca gāthe dve nibodhośanasā kṛte|
I tell you, O friend, that the wise never place themselves, without sufficient reason, under the power of an enemy. Regarding this, two stories have been recited by Sage Usanasa. Listen carefully.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.175
शत्रुसाधारणे कृत्ये कृत्वा संधि बलीयसा॥ समाहितश्चरेद् युक्त्या कृतार्थश्च न विश्वसेत्।
śatrusādhāraṇe kṛtye kṛtvā saṃdhi balīyasā|| samāhitaścared yuktyā kṛtārthaśca na viśvaset|
Having made an agreement with a stronger one, when both are threatened by enemies, a weak person should act carefully after considerations of policy. Having gained his object, the weaker of the two parties should not again trust the stronger.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.176
न विश्वसेदविश्वस्ते विश्वस्ते नातिविश्वसेत्॥ नित्यं विश्वासयेदन्यान् परेषां तु न विश्वसेत्।
na viśvasedaviśvaste viśvaste nātiviśvaset|| nityaṃ viśvāsayedanyān pareṣāṃ tu na viśvaset|
One should never trust a person unworthy of trust. Nor should one blindly trust a person deserving of trust. One should always try to secure other's confidence. One should not, however, himself trust his foes.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.177
तस्मात् सर्वास्ववस्थासु रक्षेज्जीवितमात्मनः॥ द्रव्याणि संततिश्चैव सर्वं भवति जीवितः।
tasmāt sarvāsvavasthāsu rakṣejjīvitamātmanaḥ|| dravyāṇi saṃtatiścaiva sarvaṃ bhavati jīvitaḥ|
For these reasons one should, under every circumstances, protect his own self. One's possessions, children and everything else are so long valuable as he is alive.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.178
संक्षेपो नीतिशास्त्राणामविश्वासः परो मतः॥ नृषु तस्मादविश्वास: पुष्कलं हितमात्मनः।
saṃkṣepo nītiśāstrāṇāmaviśvāsaḥ paro mataḥ|| nṛṣu tasmādaviśvāsa: puṣkalaṃ hitamātmanaḥ|
In short, the highest truth of all works on policy is Mistrust. Therefore, mistrust of all persons yields the greatest good.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.179
वध्यन्ते न ह्यविश्वस्ताः शत्रुभिर्दुर्बला अपि॥ वि तास्तेषु वध्यन्ते बलवन्तोऽपि दुर्बलैः।
vadhyante na hyaviśvastāḥ śatrubhirdurbalā api|| vi tāsteṣu vadhyante balavanto'pi durbalaiḥ|
However weak people may be, if they mistrust their enemies, the latter, even if strong, never succeed in reigning supreme over them.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.180
त्वद्विधेभ्यो मया ह्यात्मा रक्ष्यो मार्जार सर्वदा॥ रक्ष त्वमपि चात्मानं चाण्डालाज्जातिकिल्बिषात्।
tvadvidhebhyo mayā hyātmā rakṣyo mārjāra sarvadā|| rakṣa tvamapi cātmānaṃ cāṇḍālājjātikilbiṣāt|
O cat, one like myself should always guard his life from persons like you. Do you also
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.181
स तस्य ढवतस्त्वेवं संत्रासाज्जातसाध्वसः॥ शाखां हित्वा जवेनाशु मारिः प्रययौ ततः।
sa tasya ḍhavatastvevaṃ saṃtrāsājjātasādhvasaḥ|| śākhāṃ hitvā javenāśu māriḥ prayayau tataḥ|
While the mous, thus spoke, the cat frightened at the mention of the hunter, hastily left the branch of the tree, ran away with great speed.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.182
ततः शास्त्रार्थतत्त्वज्ञो बुद्धिसामर्थ्यमात्मनः।।२००। विश्राव्य पलितः प्राज्ञो बिलमन्यज्जगाम ह।
tataḥ śāstrārthatattvajño buddhisāmarthyamātmanaḥ||200| viśrāvya palitaḥ prājño bilamanyajjagāma ha|
Having thus shown his power of understanding, the mouse Palita also, who was conve. sant with the trists of scripture and endued with wisdom, entered another hole.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.183
एवं प्रज्ञावता बुद्ध्या दुर्बलेन महाबलाः॥ एकेन बहवोऽमित्राः पलितेनाभिसंधिताः।
evaṃ prajñāvatā buddhyā durbalena mahābalāḥ|| ekena bahavo'mitrāḥ palitenābhisaṃdhitāḥ|
Bhishma continued Thus did the wise mouse Palita, though weak, and alone, succeed in baffling many powerful enemies.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.184
अरिणापि मर्थेन संधि कुर्वीत पण्डितः॥ मूषिकश्च बिडालश्च मुक्तावन्योन्यसंश्रयात्।
ariṇāpi marthena saṃdhi kurvīta paṇḍitaḥ|| mūṣikaśca biḍālaśca muktāvanyonyasaṃśrayāt|
An intelligent and learned man should make peace with a powerful enemy. The mouse and the cat escaped by their reliance upon each other's services.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.185
इत्येवं क्षात्रधर्मस्य मया मार्गो निदर्शितः॥ विस्तरेण महाराज संक्षेपमपि मे शृणु।
ityevaṃ kṣātradharmasya mayā mārgo nidarśitaḥ|| vistareṇa mahārāja saṃkṣepamapi me śṛṇu|
I have thus pointed out to you fully the course of Kshatriya duties. Listen now to me in brief.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.186
अन्योन्यकृतवैरी तु चक्रतुः प्रीतिमुत्तमाम्॥ अन्योन्यमभिसंधातुं सम्बभूव तयोर्मतिः।
anyonyakṛtavairī tu cakratuḥ prītimuttamām|| anyonyamabhisaṃdhātuṃ sambabhūva tayormatiḥ|
When two persons who were once enemy 1.1ake peace with each other, it is certain that each of them has it in his heart to control the other.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.187
तत्र प्राज्ञोऽभिसंधत्ते सम्यग् बुद्धिसमाश्रयात्॥ अभिसंधीयते प्राज्ञः प्रमादादपि वा बुधैः।
tatra prājño'bhisaṃdhatte samyag buddhisamāśrayāt|| abhisaṃdhīyate prājñaḥ pramādādapi vā budhaiḥ|
In such a case the wise man succeeds by the power of his understanding in controlling the other. He, on the other hand, who has no। wisd m suffers himself, for his carelessness, to be defeated by the wise.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.188
तस्मादभीतवद् भीगो विश्वस्त्वदविश्वसन्॥ न ह्यप्रमत्तश्चलति चलितो वा तिनश्यति।
tasmādabhītavad bhīgo viśvastvadaviśvasan|| na hyapramattaścalati calito vā tinaśyati|
It is necessary, therefore, that in fear one should appear to be fearless, and, while really mistrusting others, one should seem to be truthful. One, who acts with such carefulness nev r loses his steps, or, even losing it, is never ruined.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.189
कालन रिपुणा संधिः काले मित्रेण विग्रहः॥ कार्य इत्ये व संधिज्ञाः प्राहुर्नित्यं नराधिप।
kālana ripuṇā saṃdhiḥ kāle mitreṇa vigrahaḥ|| kārya itye va saṃdhijñāḥ prāhurnityaṃ narādhipa|
When the opportunity presents its-self, one should make peace with an enemy; and when the time comes, one should make war with even a friend. Those, who are well read in peace and war, say that one should conduct hiinself thus, O king.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.190
एतज्ज्ञात्वा महाराज शास्त्रार्थमभिगम्य च।२०८॥ अभियुक्तोऽप्रमत्तश्च प्राग्भयाद् भीतवच्चरेत्।
etajjñātvā mahārāja śāstrārthamabhigamya ca|208|| abhiyukto'pramattaśca prāgbhayād bhītavaccaret|
knowing this, O king, and remembering the truths of scripture, one should, ser:sibly and carefully, act like a person in fear before the cause of fear actually arrives.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.191
भीतवत् संनिधिः कार्यः प्रतिसंधिस्तथैव च॥ भयादुत्पद्यते बुद्धिरप्रमत्ताभियोगजा।
bhītavat saṃnidhiḥ kāryaḥ pratisaṃdhistathaiva ca|| bhayādutpadyate buddhirapramattābhiyogajā|
One should before the cause of fear actually arrived, act like a person in fear, and make peace with enenies. Such fear and carefulness beget keenness of understanding.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.192
न भयं विद्यते राजन् भीतस्यानागते भये॥ अभीतस्य च विश्रम्भात् सुमहज्जायते भवम्।
na bhayaṃ vidyate rājan bhītasyānāgate bhaye|| abhītasya ca viśrambhāt sumahajjāyate bhavam|
If one acts like a man in fear before the cause of fear is so near, one is never filled with fear when that cause actually arrives. And from the fear of a person, who always acts with "carlessness, very great fear criginates.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.193
अभीश्चरति यो नित्यं मन्त्रोऽदेयः कथंचन॥ अविज्ञानाद्धि विज्ञातो गच्छेदास्पददर्शिषु।
abhīścarati yo nityaṃ mantro'deyaḥ kathaṃcana|| avijñānāddhi vijñāto gacchedāspadadarśiṣu|
Never cherish fear,-such an advice should never be given to any one. The person, who entertains fear from a consciousness of his weakness, always seuks the advice of wise and experienced men.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.194
तस्मादभीतवद् भीतो विश्वस्तवदविश्वसन्॥ कार्याणां गुरुतां प्राप्य नानृतं किंचिदाचरेत्।
tasmādabhītavad bhīto viśvastavadaviśvasan|| kāryāṇāṃ gurutāṃ prāpya nānṛtaṃ kiṃcidācaret|
For these reasons, one should, when afraid, appear to be fearless and when mistrusting (others', should seem to be truthful. One should not, even iil serious acts, !reat others with falsehood.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.195
एवमेतन्मया प्रोक्तमितिहासं युधिष्ठिर॥ श्रुत्वा त्वं सुहृदां मध्ये यथावत् समुपाचर।
evametanmayā proktamitihāsaṃ yudhiṣṭhira|| śrutvā tvaṃ suhṛdāṃ madhye yathāvat samupācara|
Thus have recited to you, O Yudhishthira, the old story (of the mouse and the cat). Havii.g listened to it, do you: act properly in the midst of your friends and kinsmen.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.196
उपलभ्य मतिं चाय्यामरिमित्रान्तरं तथा॥ संधिविग्रहकालौ च मोक्षोपायस्तथैव च।
upalabhya matiṃ cāyyāmarimitrāntaraṃ tathā|| saṃdhivigrahakālau ca mokṣopāyastathaiva ca|
Deriving a great lesson from that story, and learning the difference between friend and enemy and the proper time for war and peace, You will discover means of escape when beset with dangers.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.197
शत्रुसाधारणे कृत्ये कृत्वा संधि बलीवसा॥ समागतश्चरेद् युक्त्या कृतार्थो न च विश्वसेत्।
śatrusādhāraṇe kṛtye kṛtvā saṃdhi balīvasā|| samāgataścared yuktyā kṛtārtho na ca viśvaset|
Making peace, at a time of common danger, with a powerful enemy, you should act with proper consideration when uniting yourself with hin (when the common danger is gone). Indeed, having gained your objeci, you should not trust the enemies again.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.198
अविरुद्धां त्रिवर्गेण नीतिमेतां महीपते॥ अभ्युत्तिष्ठ श्रुतादस्माद् भूयः संरक्षयन् प्रजाः।
aviruddhāṃ trivargeṇa nītimetāṃ mahīpate|| abhyuttiṣṭha śrutādasmād bhūyaḥ saṃrakṣayan prajāḥ|
This path of policy is quite of a piece with the three-fold objects of life, (viz., Virtue, Profit, and Pleasure) O king! Guided by this Shruti, do you acquire prosperity by once more protecting your subjects.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.199
ब्राह्मणैश्चापि ते सार्धं यात्रा भवतु पाण्डव॥ ब्राह्मणा वै परं श्रेयो दिवि चेह च भारत।
brāhmaṇaiścāpi te sārdhaṃ yātrā bhavatu pāṇḍava|| brāhmaṇā vai paraṃ śreyo divi ceha ca bhārata|
O son of Pandu, always try to associate with Brahmanas in all your acts! Brahmanas give great benefit both in this world and the next.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.200
एते धर्मस्य वेत्तारः कृतज्ञा. सततं प्रभो॥ पृजिताः शुभकर्तारः पूजयेत् तान् नराधिप।
ete dharmasya vettāraḥ kṛtajñā. satataṃ prabho|| pṛjitāḥ śubhakartāraḥ pūjayet tān narādhipa|
They are teachers of duty and morality. They are always grateful, O powerful one! If adored, they are sure to do you good. Therefore, o king, you should always adore them.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.201
राज्यं श्रेयः परं राजन् यशः कीर्ति च लप्स्यसे॥ कुलस्य संततिं चैव यथान्यायं यथाक्रमम्॥
rājyaṃ śreyaḥ paraṃ rājan yaśaḥ kīrti ca lapsyase|| kulasya saṃtatiṃ caiva yathānyāyaṃ yathākramam||
You will then, O king, duly acquire ki'igdom, great food, fame, achievements, and offspring in their proper order.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 7 138.202
द्वयोरिमं भारत संगिविग्रहं सुभाषितं बुद्धिविशेष कारकम्। यथा त्ववेक्ष्य क्षितिपेन सर्वदा निगेवितव्यं नृप शत्रुमण्डले॥
dvayorimaṃ bhārata saṃgivigrahaṃ subhāṣitaṃ buddhiviśeṣa kārakam| yathā tvavekṣya kṣitipena sarvadā nigevitavyaṃ nṛpa śatrumaṇḍale||
Always looking at this history of peace and war between the mouse and the cat, written in excellent words and capable of sharpening the intelleci, a king should always act in thie midst of his enemies,
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)